Italian Serie A side Juventus appears "set to play against the A-League All Stars in Sydney next year," though the Football Federation of Australia denied finalizing "a deal for the friendly match," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. An "online advertisement for the match was leaked to social media sites on Thursday." The "banner-style advertisement promoted a Juventus match against the A-League All Stars at ANZ Stadium" on Aug. 10 as an event sponsored by the New South Wales' government's "department for tourism, Destinations NSW." Juventus had "already agreed in principle to travel to Australia next August to play the A-League All Stars back in October, but a contract for the match has still yet to be signed by all three major parties." A "tentative booking" with ANZ Stadium for an Aug. 10 All Stars match has been made (SMH, 12/12).

UEFA President Michel Platini has "spoken out about investment companies, which he considers to be sucking the soul and the wealth out of football," according to INSIDE SPANISH FOOTBALL. Platini said during Wednesday's UEFA Exec Committee that he is opposed to "investment groups holding the rights of players and clubs." Platini also expressed his "clear distaste" that the Spanish Football League (LFP) permits this practice. Platini: "I don't agree at all with the decision of the LFP to permit the entry of investment groups. It's shameful that the clubs are no longer the owners of their assets and don't have money to invest in their youth systems. We've notified FIFA of our decision to oppose the idea of clubs being in the hands of financial groups and if measures aren't taken, they will be removed from UEFA. A player belonging to an agent or an investment group and not a club, cannot be allowed. The European Union believes the same as we do." What Platini "seems to be suggesting" is that clubs participating in such methods could be "excluded from European competitions, with the backing of the European Union being a powerful legal tool" (INSIDE SPANISH FOOTBALL, 12/11).